Lescott welcomes change

Joleon Lescott says he felt it was "time for a change" after leaving Everton for Manchester City.

The England defender was presented to the press after signing a five-year contract with City.

"I'm excited to have joined a great club, and after talking to Mark Hughes I know that the club's ambitions and mine are similar. Now I just want to get out there with the lads," he said.
It was time for me to make the change, and my target now is to just play as many games as I can this season - you don't join a big club like this and expect to go straight in.

"We want to finish as high as we can in the league of course, and fourth place is achievable when you look around the dressing-room. We've signed players from some of the biggest clubs in the world, and that shows the ambition here.

"I think we're better equipped than Everton to finish fourth. I reached the FA Cup Final last season, which is an achievement. The next step is to win a trophy. I sense that feeling here."

Lescott is now the third costliest defender in the world after Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and AC Milan's Alessandro Nesta. But the player denies this is an extra weight on his shoulders.

"I've a lot to live up to but not because of the money. I put a lot of pressure on myself and make demands of myself," he said.

"It's a demanding season with a World Cup to follow. I've managed to get into the England squad, now I want to try and cement my place for the World Cup, a massive goal for me."

Hughes believes he has signed a player capable of being as good Ferdinand and Chelsea captain John Terry.

He said: "I fully expect him to become the best central defender in the country. He is at the stage of his career where there is further development in him.

"He is at a club on which there is a huge focus. He will have to deal with that. That makes players grow. We have invested a lot of money in him and with that comes a responsibility.

"Joleon can be as good as John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. That is the challenge for Joleon. It will not faze him. He is a driven young man and wants to be the best he can be."

Manchester City also presented their new Brazilian defender signed Sylvinho.